What We Need In Our Leaders Now
Sometimes people ask me why I place so much emphasis on a text written by a monk who lived in the 6th century. It’s because “The Rule of St. Benedict” never ceases to amaze me with its relevance to today’s world.
I turned again to “The Rule” in these days following our close and contentious presidential election. The “Rule” offers marvelous insight into what we need now from America’s new leaders. Monasteries also offer us a model in their practice of discernment in decision-making, consensus-forming and community-building.
In a Benedictine framework, leaders aren’t rulers whose main concern is holding onto power. Leaders are above all servants — teachers whose main task is what St. Benedict calls “the care of souls.” In everyday parlance, that means working above all for the common good.
In a wonderful talk she gave recently on “servant leadership,’ Sister Nicole Kunze, prioress of Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, outlined the key attributes of a good leader: Proclaims the truth. Sets a good example. Exhibits wisdom. Is merciful. Avoids extremes. Shows forethought and consideration. Is discerning and moderate.
That just about sums what we need now in the United States.
As St. Benedict writes, “Above all, (leaders) must not show too great concern for the fleeting and temporal things of this world, neglecting or treating lightly the welfare of those entrusted to them.”
True leaders govern less by words than “living example,” he says.
“Only in this are we distinguished,” he adds, “if we are found better than others in good works and humility.
Many critical decisions await the nation in the coming months, and here again ancient monastic practices can light the way. Every key decision a monastery makes is preceded by weeks of prayer and thoughtful deliberation.
All members of the monastic community, from the youngest to the most senior, have a chance to express their views. There is no cheering for those with whom one agrees, and certainly no criticizing, ridiculing or demonizing of people on the opposing side.
Those in the majority vow to take into consideration the will of those in the minority who end up on the losing side.
And here is the most important part: once a decision is made, everyone agrees to pull in the same direction. No throwing stones from the outside. No bemoaning, catastrophizing or trying to tear down. No filing of lawsuits. Everyone tries to make things works.
What undergirds the work of a successful leader, according to Sister Nicole, is a three-pronged foundation — one built on the ability to listen, the importance of forming relationships and the desire to serve.
In her 2018 book “Leadership in Troubled Times,” historian Doris Kearns Goodwin sounds a lot like Sister Nicole and St. Benedict. She examines leadership traits that made Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt consequential presidents. Those qualities? Humility. Self-reflection. Empathy.
Humility and self-reflection help us to acknowledge and learn from our mistakes and avoid demonizing our opponents. Empathy, which flows from careful listening, allows us to look beyond personal gain to the good of all.
At the heart of the Benedictine “Rule” is a call to community — a word we haven’t heard much lately except in the context of “lack of community,” “broken community” or “angry community.”
I often say the entire message of “The Rule” can be summed up in the following passage: “Be the first to show respect to the other, bearing with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body and behavior.”
Patience will be in great demand in the coming months. Perhaps some entrepreneur can emblazon St. Benedict’s words on a tee shirt we can all wear.
As a lifelong practicing Catholic, President-elect Joe Biden might well be aware of the values contained in the Benedictine “Rule.” But it will take more than a change in presidents or even an administration or Congress to close the chasm that has opened between our citizens.
It will take all of us doing our part to listen to those with whom we disagree. All of us practicing humility and self-reflection. All of us extending empathy and striving to be of service.
As Sister Nicole pointed out in her talk, we are individual threads in a single, extraordinary weaving. This week, in our families, in our communities, can each of us begin the work of stitching back together these United States of America?
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